CASE STUDY & SUCCESS STORIES FROM STATES 1. Success Story: Anathasagar TSC Anathasagar of Chinnakodur Mandal of Medak District of Andhra Pradesh is the proud recipient of NGP. It was like any other village prior to TSC program, a place where all use to defecate in open, water born disease were very prominent. The Gram Panchyat took a stand that if they find anybody henceforth going in open defecation would be charged penalty. In order to change the mindsets of the community members IEC activity were taken up. Traditional folk media Kalajathara and door to door campaign , wall paintings, parents meeting in school, rallies and other programs for generating awareness were carried out. In order to sustain the program school sanitation committee for toilet complex in schools, wash committee, environment and health committees were also formed. 2. Success story of Bachoda village of District Indore in Madhya Pradesh: a example of Fly changes life of people at Bachoda Village Village Bachoda where agriculture is the only source of economy is in limelight in entire Madhya Pradesh for receiving Nirmal Gram Pursakar for TSC. Not far behind just one year before village Bachoda was like any other village in rural India, where due to open defecation in entire village one would find dirt everywhere. Mr. Manish Bharadwaj took the initiative to solve the problem of drinking water and sanitation. He faced lot of resistance by the community members to construct toilets. Information was disseminated amongst community members through medium of meetings; pamphlets were also distributed to create awareness. But it was a long way to to convince the entire village for the same. But suddenly transformation could be seen, and that was because of a small example, which was sited to community members during meetings. The example was of a small fly how it goes and sits on excreta, and again it fly and come and sits on what we eat. People were asked to think as to what do they consume now while they eat, the food??? The answer was simple one also consumes excreta along with the food which is transferred by the fly, when she sit on food items. The example was an eye opener people realized and agreed to construct toilets so that system of open defecation can be totally abolished in Bachoda Village. Few individuals were given the responsibility to become policeman for the cause of cleanliness; there duty was to not allow a single individual to go for lavatory in open defecation. In order to achieve cent percent sanitation target, individuals not constructing toilets were penalized, for some time even they were not given grains from the ration shop and pensions of few pensioners was also stopped for this reason. After construction of toilets was over, the next target was health and hygiene of community members. The woman were explained the importance of hygiene. Individuals, who use to keep them self-dirty, were punished by giving them bath in cold water. In order to keep village clean, the roads were broaden, dustbins were kept on roadside. 3. Success story of Juvvalapalem of West Godavari District in Andhra Pradesh Juvvalapalem, a small village in West Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh having population of 3700, situated near coast of Bay of Bengal Over decades, the villagers health has been highly affected due to lack of drinking water facility, poor hygiene due to open defecation and lack of waste disposal system. The initiatives taken by the selected representatives of Panchyat has not only begged Juvvalapalem “Nirmal Gram Puraskar” but has turned a healthy place to stay. Initially the Panchyat faced lot of resistance and non co-operation from different corners of society, but gradually they convinced the masses through sanitary awareness campaigns, and over here children played major role. The villagers were asked to take oath to keep village free from open defecation and also formed human chain to show the unity amongst village to fight against open defecation system. Along with achieving 100% sanitation target the village noticed various other changes like rate of communicable and water born diseases reduced, in order to improve children’s health eggs were distributed periodically in mid day meals in schools. A unique waste disposable system was developed, wherein everyday from household through medium of cycle rickshaw or bullock cart waste used to be collected and was taken to a common place. Over there it was further classified into recyclable and bio degradable and was properly dispose to safeguard the public health. The villager are also provided with mineral water of International standards at a highly subsidized cost i.e. 12 paisa per liter to the public and free to schools and hospitals, in addition to well maintained protected water supply system. 4. Nirmal Gram Puraskar: K. Rayavaram Panchayat K. Rayavaram is a small village having population 1312 with 306 households. The joint efforts of GP and community have begged them honors of receiving NGP for 2005-06. Like other villages K. Rayavaram also mobilized community members, it had rounds of meeting with the GP and community members to achieve 100% total sanitation. The GP also imposed fine for small violations. The Panchayat has passed unanimous resolution to keep the village free from mosquito and housefly. They were also successfully in carrying out campaign against the use of plastic bags and imparting knowledge on solid waste management. The “Sugathara Thiruvizha” sanitation festival is conducted every month. Another unique feature of K. Rayavaram is that they have not only maintained the individuals toilets properly, but they have a sense of community ownership amongst them which has led to successful maintenance of Women Sanitary Complex. 5. Success Story of Kavateh Piran village of Sangali District in Maharashtra: A Story of modern Walmiki Kavathe Piran, a southern Gram Panchayat of the block Miraj in Sangli district in Maharashtra located about 13 kms from the district headquarters has a unique feature of having elected the Gram Panchayat body unopposed since its formation and is lead by the Hind Kesari Shri Maroti Mane (recipient of the Dhyan Chand Award conferred by the Government of India). Besides, this all the women members in the Gram Panchayat body are elected unopposed. The Gram Panchayat has bagged several awards at its possession including the State level award of Rs. 25 lakhs given by the State Government, under the Saint Gadge Baba Village Sanitation Campaign (SGBVSC). A decade ago, the Panchayat was characterized by its notorious & criminal activities, in fact Kavthe Piran is a story of turning of criminal land into a peaceful land. A simple question raised in Gram Sabha of 2001 by woman to the then young and energetic Sarpanch Bhimrao Mane changed the whole scenario in the village. She simply asked “If the leader of the village and his associates are addicted to innumerable bad habits, what is the future ahead for the generation to the come?” – the question led to silence in Gram Sabha, but the silence broke and next 2 years gave answer to her question and witnessed a change. The modern Walmiki Bhimrao Mane was in action and nothing could come in way of the development of Kavthe Piran. Initially the Gram Panchayat faced problems in convincing people for constructing toilets. So the Gram Panchayat adopted policy of mandatory construction of toilets and its use. It also announced that a person found for lavatory in open defecation would be charged Rs. 100/- and the reporter will be rewarded with Rs. 20/- per case. A fake appeal was also made in the Panchayat that families constructing and using a toilet would be given a grant of Rs.7000/- per household. After construction many villagers turned to Panchayat to claim the amount. A special Gram Sabha was then called to resolve the issue of giving grant. Mr. Bhimrao Mane counseled the villagers and explained them that many of us have luxurious facilitates at our place but we don’t opt for toilets, it is shameful for us to see our females go in open defecation. The appeal made impact and community members got convinced that they owe a toilet for their females, and almost all of them rejected the grant and returned home with a smile for doing something for their families and also getting the Nirmal Gram Puraskar for the joint efforts made by entire community…………. 6. Success story of Mala Grama Panchayath of Thrissur District in Kerala Mala Grama Panchyath is situated 40 kms away from the District Head Quarters. The village is equally represented by Hindu, Christian and Muslim community, having its main source of livelihood as agriculture. Since past 15 years Panchayat is working towards attaining “Open defecation” free status. The efforts have started way back in 1990’s by Kerala Water Authority for construction of two pit latrines, also as part of decentralized planning with the introduction of the Panchyathi Raj System between (1996 to 2003). On the launch of TSC programme in the district in 2003, people from various walks of life came together including ward level representatives formed Health Promotion Team (HPT) to motivate people for construction of sanitary latrines. In order to sensitize general public about the necessity of sanitation, health and hygiene sound amplifier mounded vehicles were used to spread the message. Through medium of traditional folk media called as “Kalajatha” a form of street play were also performed to create awareness amongst general public on sanitation issue. Also since launch of the program participation of community based organizations such as SHG’s, area based development societies and community development societies were ensured. Attractive dustbins are kept on roadsides for collection of garbage.